Follow Al Rai
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejected the possibility of Germany or Europe concluding an agreement similar to the diesel supply deal between the United States and Russia.
In a press conference in the capital, Berlin, on Monday, Merz considered that Russia only enters into serious negotiations under pressure.
He affirmed the continued imposition of sanctions on Russia and called for them to be tightened due to its attacks on civilian energy facilities in Ukraine.
He claimed that Moscow does not respond to peaceful proposals, and that it responded to US President Donald Trump's initiative regarding a truce in the energy sector with intensive attacks on civilian energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
He stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can count on Germany and Europe.
He stressed the continued support for Ukraine, and that his country is not a neutral mediator, but stands on the side of Kyiv.
Trump had announced on Friday that he had reached an agreement with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, stipulating that Moscow would immediately supply the US and global markets with more than 300,000 tons of diesel, an additional 500,000 tons during November, and then a million tons immediately thereafter.
Trump's announcement came weeks after Congress passed a law requiring the president to impose significant tariffs on countries that are among the largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas.
Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been waging a military offensive on Ukraine, and conditions its end on Kyiv abandoning its accession to Western military blocs, which the latter considers "interference" in its affairs.
Know more about this story?Send us a tip
Ask about this report — answers stay grounded in its text.
